Research Data Engineer

Virginia Commonwealth University is hiring a Research Data Engineer for the Wright Center at VCU to strengthen biomedical research data infrastructure. The role focuses on integrating and harmonizing data from multiple systems to support clinical studies, with hybrid work based in Virginia (2 days per week in Richmond) and development using SQL and Python.

You will help build reliable research datasets by designing validation and quality checks across pipelines and warehouses, while documenting data lineage and metadata for reproducible analysis. Collaboration with investigators, biostatisticians, clinicians, and informaticists is central to translating research requirements into practical data solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Integrate and harmonize data from disparate sources, including medical claims, electronic medical records (EMR/EHR), and public health surveillance data
• Design and execute data validation and quality testing across source systems, pipelines, and data warehouses, including completeness, accuracy, consistency, and plausibility checks
• Write, version, and document SQL and Python code following reproducible, peer-reviewed coding practices
• Maintain data dictionaries, lineage documentation, and metadata catalogs
• Build and maintain dashboards and visualizations that communicate data quality metrics, cohort characteristics, and research findings
• Collaborate with investigators, biostatisticians, clinicians, and informaticists to translate research needs into data solutions

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, health informatics, biostatistics, data science, public health, or a related field (or an equivalent combination of education and experience)
• 2+ years of experience in data engineering, database development, or data management
• Proficiency in programmatic data manipulation using Python or SQL
• Experience working with relational databases, such as SQL Server
• Experience building ETL processes and performing data validation or quality assurance
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility for a diverse population of faculty, staff, and students, or a commitment to do so at VCU
• Applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered

Technologies and Tools

• SQL, Python, SQL Server, ETL
• Tableau, Power BI
• OMOP CDM and OHDSI tools, including Achilles, Data Quality Dashboard, ATLAS, and WhiteRabbit/Rabbit-in-a-Hat
• Epic Clarity/Caboodle, Cerner
• ICD-10, CPT/HCPCS, SNOMED
• Microsoft Fabric
• HIPAA

Preferred Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience working with health data, ideally in an academic, health system, payer, or public health setting
• Experience creating dashboards or data visualizations (for example, Tableau or Power BI)
• Hands-on experience with OMOP CDM, including ETL implementation and use of OHDSI tools (such as Achilles, Data Quality Dashboard, ATLAS, and WhiteRabbit/Rabbit-in-a-Hat)
• Experience with claims data (for example, Medicare, Medicaid, commercial, or all-payer claims databases) and EMR data (for example, Epic Clarity/Caboodle or Cerner)
• Knowledge of healthcare terminologies and code sets, including ICD-10, CPT/HCPCS, and SNOMED
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric or similar cloud data warehouses
• Working knowledge of HIPAA, human subjects research regulations, and data governance principles

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Paid annual and holiday leave
• Generous tuition benefits
• Retirement planning and savings options
• Tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs
• Employee discounts
• Well-being resources
• Abundant opportunities for career development and advancement

Salary: USD 80,000 to 115,000 per year, commensurate with experience. Location: Virginia, United States (hybrid). Work schedule: 40 hours per week. FLSA status: Exempt. Restricted position: Yes. ORP eligible: Yes.

University job title: 24231Y - Bus Intelligence Analyst IT 1.